WASHINGTON — The federal agencies that supervise banks, thrifts, and credit unions, and the Farm Credit System, today published guidance that updates the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Flood Insurance that were most recently published on July 21, 2009 at 74 FR 35914-35947.

The guidance finalizes two questions and answers that had been previously proposed. The first relates to insurable value. The second relates to force placement of flood insurance. The agencies withdrew another question regarding insurable value.

The agencies request comment on three additional proposed updates to questions and answers relating to force placement of flood insurance. Two answers have been significantly and substantively changed. The third change, regarding force placement of flood insurance, revises a previously finalized Question and Answer for consistency with the proposed changes.

It is the intention of the agencies that, after public comment has been received and considered and the guidance has been adopted in final form, the agencies will issue a final update to the 2009 Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Flood Insurance. The final update will continue to supplement other guidance or interpretations issued by the agencies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The agencies invite comment on the proposed changes to the Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Flood Insurance and, more generally, on other issues and concerns regarding compliance with the federal flood insurance statutes and regulations. Comments are due 45 days after publication in the Federal Register, which is expected shortly.